Initial Language Questions

What are some things you'd like to know about language and teaching it? What are you curious about? Interested in?

Add your questions here...

What stereotypes do I have about language now, and how do these affect my to language and the way I possibly teach it? (John) [original]
(Where do language biases arise from and what can be done to prevent my own language biases from hampering the teaching of my future students?)


(Original) How do our political, social and economic backgrounds shape our views of language? Can we ever really change those views? (Meredith)
(Revised) Is it necessary to change our views on language as we ourselves change? If our economic/social/political beliefs or standing changes, how do the views on language change?

What would language be like without auditory or oral cues? If all language was limited to movement, signage and writing, how would we have developed differently as a society? (Meredith)

• Answers to Initial Languge Questions (Meredith)

What influences our language to change, and in what way should we teach a "standardized" English? (Matt)--Original
What influences have specifically caused the English language to change in the last ten years? What ways should educators try to teach these new influences? (Matt)--Revised

What is the future of the English language? Will it combine with Spanish due to demographic changes? (Zakk) [original]
(Revised) What are some contemporary trends in English usage? On average, how does language change?--gradually evolving or major bursts of creativity or something in between the two?

Original: By enforcing and reinforcing a mainstream or "standard" English, are we stunting the natural rate of change or growth of language? (Lauren)
Revised: How can we best encourage and incorporate the growth of language, and growth of student, together? Why? (Lauren)

Original: How do we integrate a multitude of institutional and cultural demands without it coming across too undirected? (Lauren)
Revised: With so many interesting and varying aspects of language available, what's the best way to hit on them all (today), and why? (Lauren)

How is "standard" English determined? Who has the power to determine it? (Bethany)
Revised: Are there benefits to having and teaching standardized English? How can we teach standard English without diminishing our students' other linguistic identities? Is it possible to do so without creating a split-identity?


As language changes, who accepts the changes into “standard” or accepted English? (Jenn) [Original]
Revised:
(Revised -- please add!)